The Graceville News

12/18/2025

12/18/2025

Graceville Hardee’s to Close Saturday Amid Nationwide Franchise Dispute

The local Hardee’s restaurant is scheduled to close at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 21, becoming the latest location affected by a broader franchise and bankruptcy dispute involving the fast-food chain.

While Hardee’s has not released a location-specific statement regarding the closure, the shutdown appears to be connected to a lawsuit filed by Hardee’s against ARC Burger, a large franchisee that owns dozens of Hardee’s restaurants across multiple states.

According to reporting by Restaurant Business, Hardee’s filed suit against ARC Burger late last month, alleging the franchisee owes more than $6.5 million in unpaid royalties, rent, and marketing fees tied to 28 restaurant locations. ARC Burger operates restaurants in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

ARC Burger acquired approximately 80 Hardee’s locations in 2023 after purchasing them out of bankruptcy from Summit Restaurant Holdings. Summit had previously closed dozens of locations before filing for bankruptcy earlier that year.

In its lawsuit, Hardee’s alleges ARC Burger failed to cure repeated payment defaults despite efforts to reach a workout and forbearance agreement. Hardee’s ultimately terminated the franchise and sublease agreements tied to the affected locations, leading to a wave of closures in recent weeks.

At least 15 Hardee’s restaurants nationwide have closed since October, with additional closures reported in Missouri, Illinois, Georgia, and other states. Several locations in Northwest Georgia have already shut down, with signage posted on restaurant doors announcing permanent closures.

As of publication, Hardee’s has not announced whether the local restaurant closure is temporary or permanent. Employees and customers were notified that the restaurant will cease operations at the close of business on Saturday.

12/16/2025

**Testimony found in the newest monthly publication The Good News**

I find that Christianity is very easy for me to talk about. I have a deep love for God. I love to worship him every opportunity that I can find. I have a church service in my room every Tuesday night and Saturday morning. I worship through the playing and singing of old church hymns. I enjoy praise music, but my favorite is church hymns. I preach based on scripture and whatever God puts on my heart. Some people may question why I would praise God as someone with cerebral palsy and diabetes. My challenges are a struggle for me and my family. However, we are used as examples of how God can work through our lives. It is easy to feel sorry for yourself and question why me? You can live in self-pity or you can choose to find positives in your life like family, friends, and a strong relationship with God. Prayer is a powerful way to speak to God when you are struggling. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5. It is sometimes hard to wait for an answer. We want results immediately, but God works things out in his own time. It is also important to thank God for all the blessings we receive, because we know we are unworthy.
In 2017, I accepted God into my heart. I officially became a member of my church. I was baptized by my good friend Stevie Harris. That experience was special, because I knew I needed God in my life. I have tried very hard to be a testimony for him. I want to be the kind of Christian that others see as living my life for God. We are examples for people every day. Someone is always watching and hoping you fail as a Christian. It is up to us to live according to God’s will.
My school experience was great. I loved the teachers, staff, and my classmates. Depending on God was important for me daily. I really enjoyed getting involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We met each Friday. Several times I had the privilege of speaking to my fellow students during FCA. I feel God used me during those times as a testimony for what he can do in your life. I graduated in May of 2025. I was so looking forward to graduating and moving on with my life. Post graduate life is challenging. I am still praying for guidance as to what plan God has for me. It is hard sometimes to realize my path is different from my classmates, but I look forward to seeing what plans God has for my future. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14: 1-4.

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12/16/2025

These two photos still need to be identified! Do you know who last week's "Do You Know Me" photos are of? Send your answers to our Facebook Messenger or email [email protected]
**Please make sure to state where the individual you are identifying is at in the photo.**

12/16/2025

­­This is a reprint of original articles by Hugh Woolley, a longtime resident and community leader of Graceville. Woolley published these articles in The Graceville News more than 20 years ago. Originally published in the December 12, 2002 edition of The Graceville News. “Mr. Wade” Robert Wade...

12/16/2025

Make sure to send your favorite area streets with Christmas decorations for this year's Christmas Decor Map!

12/16/2025

Baptist University of Florida Celebrates Historic December 2025 Graduation

Baptist University of Florida (BUF), founded in 1943 and located in Graceville, Florida, celebrated a landmark achievement earlier this month by conferring degrees on the largest graduating class in its history. The 2025 Commencement marks a milestone for the institution, with graduates representing students from the Spanish, French, and English programs, from certificate to graduate levels.
This year’s diverse, multi- lingual graduating class reflects BUF’s expanding mission to prepare global Christian leaders. Students from South and Central Florida, along with Haitian, Hispanic, and English- speaking communities, gathered with family, friends, and distinguished guests to celebrate academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the advancement of Christian higher education.
“This historic class represents the heart and future of BUF,” said University President, Dr. Clayton Cloer, “Their accomplishments stand as a testimony to our founding vision and our continued commitment to train leaders who serve Christ around the world.”
Commencement ceremonies highlighted the growth of BUF Global initiatives and celebrated first-generation college graduates, ministry leaders, educators, and professionals equipped to serve in multicultural settings.
Baptist University of Florida extends its congratulations to the December Class of 2025 and looks forward to seeing them impact workplaces, churches, communities, and nations with their calling and preparation.For more information, visit www.buf.edu

12/16/2025

The December Yard of the Month is the yard of David and Laura Watford on Mixon Street. The yard of the month is sponsored by the Graceville Garden Club. The club will be acknowledging an Outstanding Yard within the city limits of Graceville each month. This is to encourage the beautification of Graceville and the hard work people put into their yards. A sign will be placed in a selected yard. Although there is no prize associated with the honor, the selected gardner will have bragging rights for a month. So get out and start digging

12/12/2025

Don't Forget!! The Graceville Christmas Parade & Festival is tonight! Parade Lineup is on Sanders Avenue starting at 5 PM and festival will take place around the walking track in front of the Civic Center after the parade!

12/12/2025

In March 1902 the City of Graceville was incorporated and one year later the small town's first weekly newspaper was created under the name The Graceville Advertiser. In 1922, The Graceville Advertiser officially changed its name to The Graceville News. According to records The Graceville News (previously known as The Graceville Advertiser) has been published every single week for 120 years, a feat that very few newspapers have been able to achieve. This week's December 11th edition will finish off the 120 annual volume and the publication will roll into its 121st volume.

This would not have been possible if it had not been for God. Three years ago, The Graceville News was set to close and publish its last edition on June 30, 2022. However, God had other plans and those plans included me, Samantha Reed Angerbrandt, purchasing the newspaper from one of the most knowledgable men I have ever met, Ferrin Cox.

From the very beginning I understood it was only by His grace and mercy that I not only was able physically to handle the toll that owning a small business and community newspaper puts on a person but mentally as well. I promised God then, that I would do everything in my power to glorify Him and to ensure He always received the credit for any success this newspaper had.

Dr. Jerry Windsor wrote in his book "Graceville, Florida: A Personal History" that "the local paper has always been the one that everyone 'loved to hate' and 'enjoyed to read'". And that still stands true today in a lot of ways because the truth isn't always loved. However, my heart was and still is focused on making The Graceville News a paper that glorifies God in its ways and that His light always stays center even through the darkness.

Today, I am so grateful and excited to announce a new monthly publication entitled The Good News. This publication will be inserted in The Graceville News, but can also be delivered separately to area churches, hospitals, and most importantly correctional facilities and locations where people who are lost can read and learn about The Good News and understand that God isn't just for the saved and healed, but He is there for the lost and sick too.

So if you know someone who needs to hear The Good News and see just how great our Heavenly Father is, please reach out. If you would like copies in your church or business, please let us know because this publication is about one thing and one thing alone, glorifying a merciful Heavenly Father that is the "Good News that brings great joy to all people" (Luke 2:10).

12/12/2025

Rodeo Mexican Restaurant to open in January 2026 where Los Amigos and Javiers Too was previously located at 915 White Avenue in Graceville.